The first all-electric SsangYong will be set to launch in 2021
SsangYong has confirmed specs of an electric version of the Korando crossover. The first zero-emission vehicle from the Korean SUV specialists is provisionally called the Korando E100, and is set to launch in the first quarter of 2021.
Power will come courtesy of a single electric motor producing 188bhp – 27bhp more than the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol model that powers the most potent Korando variant. Acceleration figures haven’t yet been confirmed, but Ssangyong claims they will be “best in class”. As with many other EVs, top speed is estimated to be a fairly modest 95mph in order to preserve battery charge.
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The battery itself is produced by LG Chem, and has a 61.5kWh capacity. That’s enough, says Ssangyong, to return a range of over 261 miles on the NEDC testing cycle. That’s a little down on the 339-mile NEDC range claimed by the Hyundai Kona Electric, but should still allow for a real world range of over 200 miles.
As it stands, there are no direct rivals for the Korando E100; the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric represent the closest competition currently, though both are physically smaller cars with less interior and boot space.
With the on-sale date still a couple of years away, prices are still a long way from being finalised. However, its Korean rivals are priced up to £38,000 once the £3,500 government grant for low emission vehicles is taken into account.
Further electrification of the Korando range will see a mild hybrid diesel version following on from the E100 in 2022.
What do you think of SsangYong’s plans on electrification? Let us know in the comments below…
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